Michael Wood

Michael has spent many years working at the grassroots level in Mt Roskill, driven by the core belief that people do well when living in strong, fair, and supportive communities. He has been a member of the Puketapapa Local Board since 2010, winning Council investment to upgrade local parks and speaking up on local issues like the Three Kings quarry development and the campaign to save seniors’ social housing at Liston Village.

Some of Michael’s other career highlights have been his work for Habitat Humanity, his work as chair of his local Board of Trustees, and the number of years he spent as a senior negotiator for the Finance Sector union Finsec, ensuring that the big Aussie banks gave their New Zealand workers a fair deal. Through his work in various organisations, Michael has developed a strong view that if we get the basics right — good jobs with fair wages, decent housing, and a strong public education system — we’ll solve many other social issues.

Along with his wife Julie and their three young sons, Michael lives in Roskill South where he loves to tramp along the Waikowhai Coast (trapping the odd rat and possum along the way), tends to a very neglected vegetable garden, and likes to listen to deeply unfashionable 70s rock.

Latest from Michael Wood

Labour is committed to a tax system where everyone pays their fair share and where we start to address the imbalances that have fuelled the housing crisis, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson and Labour’s Revenue spokesperson Michael Wood.

"Today Labour has released its full tax plan, bringing together a number of previous announcements and more detail on the Tax Working Group. Given the amount of misinformation being spread, it is important that we have all the information in one place.

A Labour Government will commit up to $30 million to build Skypath, the shared cycling and walking path across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, says Labour’s Transport spokesperson Michael Wood.

“The Skypath, which will be built from modern composite materials, will be clipped on to the city side of the bridge. This will give Aucklanders the ability to walk and cycle safely from one side of the Waitemata to the other.

It’s a case of baby steps for a Government that still allows multinational companies to avoid paying their fair share of tax, says Labour’s Revenue spokesperson Michael Wood.

“After nine years in government, five years after the issue of multinational tax avoidance was placed on the IRD’s work programme, and two weeks after Labour’s own detailed proposal was released, the Government is to be congratulated on their relatively quick response.